August 3rd
1970
"Narcissa, this is Lucius Malfoy," said her mother. "You must know each other from Hogwarts."
"Nice to know you officially, Lucius," Narcissa said primly, extending her hand, which Lucius shook.
"Congratulations on your sister's marriage, Narcissa," he said, unable to stop his smirk. Narcissa could have kicked him. She glanced at her father, who was greeting guests with Bellatrix and Rodolphus.
"Marvelous," said her mother. "Perhaps we've made another fine match."
Narcissa smiled tightly as her mother walked away, and then faced Lucius.
"A fine match," he said, grinning. "And you thought they wouldn't like me." Narcissa rolled her eyes.
August 3rd
1972
"I say good riddance to her," Bellatrix said coldly, though she did not lift her head from the pillow; she was still very sick after her miscarriage. "She's been a complete disappointment since—unnh—" Bellatrix groaned.
"Bella, calm down," Narcissa said exasperatedly, sitting down beside her on the bed.
"Quiet," Bellatrix snapped. "Andromeda is dead to us." Narcissa sighed. "Do not argue with me, Narcissa," Bellatrix snarled.
"I'm not arguing," Narcissa said. "I just want you to relax."
Bellatrix sighed, leaning back against her pillows. "Tell me something that doesn't turn my stomach. How is Lucius?"
Narcissa turned red.
August 3rd
1973
"Andromeda had her child," Narcissa said, sitting down beside Lucius on the sofa. "Bellatrix is furious."
"Few things do not infuriate your sister," Lucius said idly. "Let's talk about something slightly more interesting than the breeding of Mudbloods."
Narcissa batted her eyelashes, taking his hand. "Like our wedding plans?"
Lucius rolled his eyes, feigning annoyance. "If you insist."
"My aunt offered us her house-elf as a present," Narcissa said.
"Oh?" Lucius asked, wrapping his arms around Narcissa. He kissed her cheek, and she laughed, pushing him back.
"Father," she whispered, pointing over his shoulder to the dining room. Lucius sighed.
August 3rd
1974
"You'll be careful, won't you?" Narcissa asked anxiously.
"Oh, really, Narcissa, don't be ridiculous," Lucius said. Then, seeing he had hurt her, he touched her chin. "I am doing the thing that is best for us, and our future family," he told her.
Narcissa nodded. "I know," she said quietly. She touched his arm, where the Mark would soon be placed. "Come home to me, though."
"You don't have to worry about that," Lucius said confidently, picking up his black cloak and striding for the bedroom door. "I'll be back before you know it, and everything will be all right."
August 3rd
1975
Narcissa walked slowly into the bedroom, removing her cloak and scarf spiritlessly.
Lucius sat up eagerly. "Well? What did the Healer say?"
Narcissa's lip trembled, and she collapsed onto the bed, sobbing.
"How is it that that accursed sister of yours and her Mudblood can have a child right away?" Lucius growled, holding Narcissa tightly in his arms. "We're ten times more deserving of an heir."
Narcissa gave a sob, hiccupping into Lucius's shoulder. "Not now," she said. "Don't—I can't listen to it," she wept.
Lucius sighed, patting her back. "You'll be all right, Narcissa. It will happen soon."
August 3rd
1980
Lucius dragged himself up to bed; it had been a very long night. The Dark Lord had received word of the Potter boy's birth, and was furiously exhausting every channel he could, trying to find Lily and James Potter. He quietly pushed open the door, hoping not to wake Narcissa or the baby.
Narcissa was half-asleep in an armchair near the bed, holding two-month-old Draco in her lap. Lucius sighed heavily and walked to her, picking up Draco and settling him in his crib.
Narcissa blinked sleepily. "You're home," she mumbled happily.
Lucius leaned over and kissed her. "I'm home."
August 3rd
1995
"Narcissa, do not order me to—"
"I'm not issuing an order, I'm begging you to reconsider, Lucius," Narcissa pleaded. "Breaking into the Ministry—surely there's someone lower down—"
"The entire reason he's selected me is because he knows my loyalty. Successfully obtaining the prophecy is key," Lucius said loudly. "With Bellatrix in Azkaban—"
"He must have plans to free her, though," Narcissa said, seizing his wrist. Lucius twisted away as though burned, clutching his arm.
"He calls us," he said in a low voice. "I must go."
And he left. Narcissa fell to her knees and sobbed.
August 3rd
1996
"You look horrible," Bellatrix commented. "What's wrong with you?"
"Nothing," Narcissa snapped.
Bellatrix arched an eyebrow. "Charming, Cissy."
Narcissa glared at her. "I didn't sleep. Leave me alone."
"Gladly," Bellatrix sneered, leaving the parlor. Narcissa sighed, holding a shaking hand over her eyes.
"Mother?"
She looked up and smiled faintly at Draco, who stood in the doorway. "I'm all right, darling," she said.
"Father will be out soon. We have plans," Draco promised confidently. Narcissa's stomach clenched, and her eyes flickered to his arm.
"I need to go to Diagon Alley," said Draco.
"Oh," Narcissa said, startled. "Of—of course."
August 3rd
1997
Narcissa held Lucius's shrunken form tightly as they lay in bed, both wide-awake.
"Do you feel all right?" she asked gently. "Do you need something to eat?"
"I feel fine, Narcissa," came the hollow reply.
"You need your strength back," Narcissa told him quietly.
"I feel fine, Narcissa," Lucius answered, his voice hardening.
Narcissa sat up, gently touching his sunken, unshaven cheeks and waxy skin. "He's killing you slowly," she whispered.
In a flash, Lucius sat bolt upright, seizing her wrist. "Don't speak like that, ever again," he hissed, his eyes full of fear.
"I speak the truth," Narcissa said.
August 3rd
1998
"I don't think I could've taken another minute of France," Draco grumbled, marching in the doorway of the manor and heading straight for his bedroom.
Narcissa smiled and shook her head. She'd taken Lucius and Draco abroad after the war, managing—with some sacrificed gold—to avoid prosecution, and taking a much-needed break for them all.
The bribery had paid off, and after a long stay with some distant Malfoy cousins, they returned to their restored home.
Lucius walked in slowly, looking dazed.
"We're home," Narcissa said, embracing him tightly.
And, for the first time in two years, Lucius smiled.